New Mexico’s attorney general filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the U.S. Department of Justice, seeking access to unredacted documents related to Jeffrey Epstein as part of an ongoing state criminal investigation. The suit accuses the Justice Department of impeding New Mexico’s efforts to probe Epstein’s alleged crimes at his Zorro Ranch estate near Santa Fe, a property central to claims of trafficking and abuse.
Raúl Torrez, New Mexico’s top law enforcement official, criticized the Justice Department under acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for what he described as “stonewalling” the state’s investigation. Torrez argued that withholding these records, which reportedly contain names of survivors, witnesses, accomplices, and others connected to Epstein’s activities, harms victims and undermines public interest.
New Mexico authorities have been investigating Epstein’s Zorro Ranch since February and contend that the original justice files are vital for building their case. The state claims that repeated requests for full access to the documents have been met with sustained resistance, contrasting with previous cooperation from the department under different administrations.
In response, Justice Department spokeswoman Kiersten Pels stated that a court-issued protective order restricts disclosure of victim-identifying information and that New Mexico has not provided a legal justification for such broad access. She affirmed the department’s willingness to assist within the bounds of the law and court orders.
The lawsuit underscores a longstanding rift between federal and state officials over the handling of Epstein-related investigations, particularly concerning Zorro Ranch. Despite its significance—Epstein’s files mention the property over 10,000 times—there has been limited federal investigative activity at the site. New Mexico officials say the property was largely overlooked following a 2019 directive from federal prosecutors to halt the state’s initial inquiry and transfer findings to federal authorities, who then appear to have deprioritized the ranch.
The lack of thorough examination prompted Torrez to resume the state’s investigation earlier this year and led to the formation of a bipartisan truth commission with subpoena power dedicated to examining Epstein’s activities in New Mexico. Torrez’s filing contends that the Justice Department’s refusal to share unredacted materials violates long-established protocols for cooperation between federal and state law enforcement in cases involving sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Highlighting the impact of the stalled collaboration, Torrez argued that federal inaction not only delays the investigation but also exacerbates victims’ suffering. He noted parallels between New Mexico’s case and recent disputes in other states where the Justice Department hesitated to provide evidence to local authorities.
While acknowledging the challenges posed by the passage of time and Epstein’s death nearly seven years ago, state officials maintain they are best equipped to pursue justice for survivors. In March, investigators began searching Zorro Ranch, currently owned by Dallas real estate investor Don Huffines, who has expressed cooperation with state inquiries. Additionally, Torrez has instructed related entities to preserve records connected to Epstein and his network, and the truth commission has issued subpoenas to multiple government and financial institutions.
Without full access to the records held by the Justice Department, Torrez warned that New Mexico’s investigation risks being severely hampered. According to the lawsuit, heavily redacted files conceal identities of key figures within Epstein’s inner circle and Zorro Ranch staff, individuals who may hold critical information regarding the abuse alleged to have occurred at the property.